/ Project Pegasus

Last updated on 19/10/2017 04:00:17 PM

What is Project Pegasus

Project Pegasus is a joint initiative by Border Force BF, the National Crime Agency (NCA) and police forces throughout the country to address terrorist and criminal threats to the aviation sector to enhance the ‘vigilance’ capability among the general aviation community.

Its aim is to encourage anyone working, visiting or living near or at general aviation sites to be vigilant as they go about their day-to-day routines and report any suspicious activity to Crime Stoppers 0800 555 111 or the police 101 number quoting ‘Pegasus’.

Border crime causes immense harm to the UK, whether it is the smuggling of people, drugs or firearms, or terrorism related.

There are tens of thousands of light aircraft, helicopters and microlights in the UK, flying in and out of small airfields across the country every day. Because not every plane and airstrip can be monitored 24 hours a day, the aviation community can play a vital role in preventing border crime and maintaining a safe community. By reporting suspicious activity around an airfield, you can help prevent illegal smuggling, immigration crime and terrorism.

What to look out for

Suspicious activity

Have you spotted:

Reconnaissance - attempts to test or research security around an airfield?

Individuals buying equipment, chemicals, uniforms, badges?

Suspicious deliveries?

People in the wrong place or behaving oddly?

An odd pattern of aircraft hiring?

Signs of disguised continuation flights or deviations from plan?

Strange or fraudulent patterns of payment?

The aircraft

Has the aircraft been modified?

Is the aircraft carrying extra fuel?

Has it been to remote destinations or isolated airfields?

Does it regularly suffer minor damage?

Is the aircraft muddy when only tarmac strips are on the flight plans?

Has it landed short of its notified destination?

The pilot

Ask yourself, is the pilot:

Nervous or vulnerable to pressure?

Being evasive about passengers, flights, routes?

Taking unnecessary risks?

Flying at the edge of their capabilities or damaging aircraft too often?